Farm to Fork: The Innovators with David Maloni
Welcome to Farm to Fork: The Innovators, the podcast where decades of industry expertise meet the future of the food supply chain. I'm David Maloni, your host, and with over 40 years in the food production, distribution, and operations sectors, I've seen the industry evolve. But now, it's time to push the boundaries of innovation further.
Every other week, join me as I sit down with pioneers from the past, the game-changers of today, and the visionaries shaping the future of our field. Together, we'll explore new ideas, technologies, and strategies that can revolutionize how we farm, produce, move, and serve food to the world.
I invite you, our listeners, to be a part of this journey. If you know someone or have a topic in mind that aligns with our mission, please reach out. Your input matters, and it could be the spark that ignites the next big breakthrough in the food supply chain.
For more insights and to connect with my consultancy, visit www.DatumFS.com. Thank you for tuning in. Together, let's drive innovation and transform the way we nourish our communities
Farm to Fork: The Innovators with David Maloni
Creating Value for Brands in the Digital Age with Ian Navarro, founder of Navarro Culinary Connection
In today’s episode, Ian Navarro, founder of Navarro Culinary Connection, shares his journey from distribution roles to establishing his own food service brokerage in Denver, Colorado. Ian explains the concept of food brokerage as a fractional sales team aiding brands in navigating the food service industry.
Highlighting the importance of storytelling, building relationships, and leveraging technology, particularly social media, to connect chefs, brands, and distributors, Ian further discusses the challenges of customer acquisition, managing expectations, and the evolving role of digital platforms in creating brand relevance and authenticity and we conclude with insights into the future direction of his business.
Once Again, Thank You for tuning in to what proves to be an insightful discussion.
Connect With the Host:
David Maloni’s LinkedIn
Connect With Our Guest:
Navarro Culinary Connections’ Website
Connect with Datum FS:
Timestamps
02:40 - Welcome To The Show Ian
06:13 - Starting Navarro Culinary Connection
09:19 - Innovative Food Service Brokerage
13:01 - Ian Talks About Curating A Product Mix, The Importance Of Storytelling And Regional Foods
17:06 - Food Brokerage And Relationship Management
20:44 - Ian Talks About Starting His Business, The Challenges, And The Growth In The First Six Months
26:43 - Differentiation In The Market
31:10 - The Challenges Of Introducing New Products To The Market
36:57 - Ian Talks Emphasizing Using Technology To Build Relationships And Create Credibility Virtually
42:24 - Challenges In Food Distribution
47:38 - The Challenges Of Food Brokerage
50:29 - The Role Of Digital, Strategic Accounts, And The Focus On Creating Value For Brands.
52:22 - Scaling And Evolving Navarro
1:03:24 - Wrapping Up!
I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company.